Reception for Textile Arts Exhibit Is this Thursday, 3 to 5 pm

HANCOCK, MI - A reception for an exhibit of work by Finnish textile artists Riitta-Liisa Haavisto and Anna-Riitta Haavisto is this Thursday, June 23, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., at the Finlandia University Gallery, Hancock.

Anna-Riitta Haavisto will present a talk at 3:15 p.m.

The reception is part of a "Gallery Walk" organized in conjunction with the 2011 Northern Wefts Weavers' Conference, which takes place in Hancock June 20 to 25.

The exhibit, titled "White Forests, Blue Sky: Two Generations of Art Textiles, Paper and Metal Constructions," is on display through September 8, 2011.

Riitta-Liisa Haavisto (1930-2009) is one of Finland's most highly regarded embroidery artists. She employed an expressive, painterly approach to embroidery, using jewel-toned fabrics and threads to create scenes inspired by nature, folklore, and current events.

Anna-Riitta, Riitta-Liisa's daughter, stretches the boundaries of fiber art in thought-provoking, three-dimensional sculptural objects constructed of sand, stones, steel, plastic, fiber, silk, cotton, paper, wood-and even water. Her approach to her art is experimental, often employing non-conventional materials in her sculptures. She draws inspiration from nature, as well as from culture, religion, and political and environmental subjects.

Since 1998, the Haavistos' work has been featured in more than 22 joint exhibitions in Finland, England, Scotland, Norway, Germany, Spain, the United States, and Canada, and in dozens of group exhibitions.

The Finlandia University Gallery is in the Finnish American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy Street, Hancock.

Please call 906-487-7500 for more information.